Kenya’s Kibaki arrives in Ethiopia for African Union summit

President Mwai Kibaki arrived in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Friday afternoon for a three day official visit.

The plane carrying the President and his delegation touched down at Bole International Airport shortly after 12:00 noon.

On arrival, the President was received by high ranking Ethiopian Government officials and Kenyans resident in Ethiopia led by the Kenyan Ambassador to African Union and Ethiopia Dr. Monica Juma among others.

Earlier Friday morning, President Kibaki was seen off at the at the Jomo Kenyatta International by the Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka, Head of Public Service and secretary to Cabinet Francis Kimemia, Chief of Defense Forces Gen Julius Karangi and the Police Inspector General David Kimaiyo.

While in Addis Ababa, President Kibaki will attend the 20th Summit of the African union (AU) Heads of State and Government and the 353rd Peace and Security Council (PSC) meeting.

The theme of the 20th ordinary session of the AU Summit is “Pan-Africanism and African Renaissance”.

On the sidelines of AU Summit, the President is scheduled to participate in a meeting of the Committee of African Heads of State and Government on Climate Change (CAHOSCC).

Kenya, who is a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO), has nominated the Deputy Executive Director of UNEP Amb. Amina Mohamed for the post of WTO Director-General and has mounted a spirited campaign to solicit support from other member states.

The current Director General of WTO Mr. Pascal Lamy of France is retiring in August this year.